Mercy University combines accessible admission with exceptional earnings uplift, ranking in the 96.9th percentile for value-added outcomes. Despite open access admission standards, graduates earn $27,886 beyond expectations based on student demographics, demonstrating outstanding institutional effectiveness in translating educational opportunity into economic advancement.
With above average outcomes, driven by exceptional earnings beyond expectations despite typical median earnings levels
With above average performance, reflecting controlled debt levels below peer institutions and reasonable net prices
With well above average performance, reflecting strong enrollment of Pell-eligible (47.3%) and first-generation students (41.9%)
Around the national average, combining strong access with typical earnings outcomes
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisMercy University delivers exceptional earnings outcomes relative to student backgrounds and admission accessibility. Graduates earn a median of $52,055 ten years after enrollment, ranking around the national average at the 47th percentile.
However, the institution generates $27,886 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 96.9th percentile nationally with top-tier performance on this crucial measure. This means graduates earn significantly more than predicted based on their entering academic credentials and demographics.
Students seeking strong earnings beyond expectations at a medium-sized private institution with open access admission. Well-suited for first-generation students (41.9%) and Pell-eligible students (47.3%) who value healthcare and business programs with demonstrated economic mobility outcomes, particularly those comfortable with modest completion rates.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Mercy University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/mercy-university/analysis.
Top 5% nationally for earnings beyond expectations
Mercy University ranks #340 nationally, placing at the 79.2nd percentile with well above average performance across multiple institutional pillars. Located in Dobbs Ferry, New York, this medium-sized private nonprofit university maintains open access admission standards with an 85.5% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional earnings outcomes relative to student backgrounds.
Mercy University enrolls 47.3% Pell-eligible students and 41.9% first-generation students, demonstrating strong commitment to educational access. Graduates earn $27,886 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, ranking at the 96.9th percentile for earnings uplift and qualifying as top-tier performance.
This places Mercy University among the top 5% nationally for value-added earnings outcomes. The institution combines accessible admission, above-average access to underrepresented students, and exceptional earnings performance beyond what student demographics would predict, supporting long-term economic advancement for diverse student populations.
Mercy University admits approximately 85.5% of applicants, meaning roughly 17 in 20 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Mercy University in the Open Access category with admission rates above 75%, making it significantly more accessible than typical four-year institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% indicates Mercy University admits about 15 percentage points more applicants than similar private nonprofit institutions. This open access approach means most academically prepared students can expect admission, though students should still meet basic eligibility requirements and submit complete applications.
The high acceptance rate reflects the institution's mission to provide educational opportunity to diverse student populations, including substantial numbers of first-generation and Pell-eligible students. For prospective students, Mercy University represents a reliable admission option that should be considered a likely acceptance rather than a reach school.
Students building college lists can treat Mercy University as a strong safety or match school while pursuing more selective options elsewhere. This accessibility combined with the institution's exceptional value-added outcomes makes it an attractive option for students seeking both admission certainty and strong post-graduation returns.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Mercy University maintains a cost structure that balances affordability with educational quality, particularly benefiting students from lower and middle-income families. The published cost of attendance reaches $32,391 per year, including $22,106 in tuition, $14,700 for room and board, and $1,692 for books and supplies.
However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with net prices averaging $15,770 across all income levels. This represents $16,621 in average financial aid savings, reducing the actual cost by more than half for most families.
Compared to peer institutions with a median net price of $27,143, Mercy University provides education at $11,373 less annually, making it substantially more affordable than similar private nonprofit institutions. The institution's financial aid effectiveness particularly benefits students from diverse economic backgrounds, with net prices structured progressively based on family income.
This cost advantage, combined with exceptional earnings beyond expectations, creates favorable return on investment conditions for graduates who achieve strong economic outcomes while managing reasonable debt levels.
Mercy University graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over time, with outcomes based on substantial cohort sizes providing high confidence in reported figures. Median earnings rise from $44,969 six years after enrollment to $49,047 at eight years and $52,055 at ten years, representing 15.8% growth from the six-year mark to ten years.
These outcomes reflect data from 1,638 graduates in the ten-year cohort, 1,485 in the eight-year cohort, and 1,170 in the six-year cohort. The institution's standout characteristic lies in earnings beyond expectations, where graduates earn $27,886 more than predicted based on student demographics and academic preparation, ranking at the 96.9th percentile nationally.
This top-tier performance indicates the institution's exceptional ability to add value through educational programming and career preparation. Low-income graduates earn $39,200, providing solid economic mobility outcomes.
Approximately 29.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. The earnings distribution spans from $29,099 to $76,821, reflecting diverse program outcomes and career trajectories across the institution's 11 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
343 graduates
Blood Bank Technology Specialist.
18 graduates
Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist.
18 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
41 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
235 graduates
Mercy University offers 11 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data, led by standout performance in healthcare and business fields. Adult Health Nursing ranks #7 nationally and #1 in New York state, producing 343 graduates with median earnings of $113,576 and an exceptional value score of 97.8.
This program represents 26.6% of all graduates and demonstrates the institution's healthcare education strength. Business Administration and Management ranks #161 nationally and #12 in New York, graduating 235 students with median earnings of $56,985.
Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods ranks #23 nationally and #5 in New York, with 190 graduates earning $36,556. Psychology ranks #113 nationally and #20 in New York, graduating 150 students with median earnings of $45,455.
General Studies ranks #50 nationally and #2 in New York, with 119 graduates earning $46,408. These programs collectively represent strong state-level performance across diverse academic fields, with several programs achieving top-tier rankings within New York and solid national positioning.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tufts University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#378 ranked) | MA | 10% | $83,214 | #378 | Compare |
George Washington University Similar quality tier (#384 ranked) | DC | 44% | $90,873 | #384 | Compare |
Carleton College Similar quality tier (#373 ranked) | MN | 22% | $75,525 | #373 | Compare |
Augsburg University Similar quality tier (#388 ranked) | MN | 77% | $58,829 | #388 | Compare |
Colgate University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#393 ranked) | NY | 12% | $85,139 | #393 | Compare |